Odds on First/Second Player Selected at Each Position in 2020 NFL Draft

• Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert remain in a tight race to be the second quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL Draft
• Exceptional value exists in the odds to be the first running back, and the second cornerback taken in this year’s draft
• Get all the odds and insight on who will be picked first at each position in the story below

As a the countdown to the 2020 NFL Draft continues, little has changed in the race to be the first overall pick, with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow still widely expected to be taken by the Cincinnati Bengals. However, little else has been decided beyond the first pick going into the first round, as the trade rumor mill heats up, and NFL general managers finalize their plans for the first-ever virtual NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday night.

Here’s a look at where odds stand by position.

• Quarterbacks / Wide Receivers / Tight Ends / Running Backs / Offensive Linemen / Linebackers / Cornerbacks / Safeties / Kickers

Second and Third Quarterback Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

All odds taken April 21, 2020

While the NFL Draft is expected to open with the coronation of Burrow as the top pick, he is unlikely to be the only quarterback to be taken with an early pick. An early-season favorite to win the Heisman Trophy last year, Tua Tagovaiola has been the favorite to be the second pivot selected. However, questions may linger about Tagovaiola’s long-term durability after he saw his final collegiate campaign ended by a gruesome hip injury.

My postgame with interview with @seniorbowl MVP Justin Herbert, whose name you'll hear plenty more through April. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/ueDlQXEmU6

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2020

Conversely, Justin Herbert managed to silence many of his critics with a solid campaign in Oregon, where he led the Ducks to a Pac-12 conference title, and followed up by claiming Offensive MVP honors at both the Rose Bowl and Senior Bowl. The 22-year-old has closed the gap on Tagovaiola after opening as a lengthy +275 bet, but still offers considerable value as a +105 bet to be the second quarterback taken.

Pick: Justin Herbert to be  second quarterback drafted (+105)

First Wide Receiver Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

This year’s wide receiver draft class is considered to be one of the deepest in years. That has created questions as to how NFL GMs will set their first-round priorities. It remains a dead heat between Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb atop the odds to be the first wide receiver taken.

The #Broncos are now co-favorites to land WR Jerry Jeudy ?#NFLDrafthttps://t.co/6XRDRjDtEt

— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) April 22, 2020

That could change if the Denver Broncos follow through on their reported intentions to move up in the first round by making a trade. If John Elway has his way, look for the Broncos to use their first selection to bring Jeudy to the Mile High City

Pick: Jerry Jeudy (-110)

First Tight End Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

There has been considerable debate as to when Cole Kmet will here his name called at this year’s NFL Draft.

2020 NFL Draft: TE Cole Kmet among five players who could be first-round surprises (via @TomPelissero)https://t.co/byKpIhcP4f pic.twitter.com/2CVCZPwhTw

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 22, 2020

While the Notre Dame star failed to crack the first round in Sports Betting Dime’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft, his impressive size and strength, along with a solid performance at the NFL Combine make him a strong bet to be the first tight end selected.

Pick: Cole Kmet (-300)

First Running Back Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

Unlike the upcoming class of wide receivers, there are no running backs expected to be selected in the first round. Some backfield intrigue remains, with D’Andre Swift emerging as the favorite to be drafted first. However, it is tough to overlook two-time All-American Jonathan Taylor, whose explosive speed and receiving ability make him an attractive pick as a +210 second favorite.

Jonathan Taylor's profile is that of a running back who would typically go top-5 overall

You can make the argument – easily in fact – that he had the greatest career of any running back in NCAA history

And yet, most experts don't even have him as the top back in this class pic.twitter.com/VezFrusf4J

— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) April 16, 2020

Pick: Jonathan Taylor (+210)

First Offensive Lineman Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

Along with the quarterbacks at the top of this year’s draft class, offensive linemen are well represented in the Sports Betting Dime Mock Draft. Each of the four players cracking the odds to be the first offensive linemen picked sit among the Top 14 on our Mock Draft. However, with a growing number of reports indicating the New York Giants are set to take Jedrick Wills at No. 4, solidifying his spot atop the odds board.

Jedrick Wills Jr. career at Alabama:

929 Pass-block snaps
1 QB sack allowed pic.twitter.com/RJcTK80cta

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 17, 2020

Pick: Jedrick Wills (-110)

First Linebacker Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

At the top of this year’s draft class of linebackers, there is Isaiah Simmons, and then everyone else. If the Giants decide to pass on Wills, it will likely be due to a decision to take Clemson star Isaiah Simmons. Should Simmons fall past No. 4, look for the Carolina Panthers to scoop him at No. 7. Consequently, there is little value in looking elsewhere in the odds on the first linebacker picked.

Rumor has it? If the #Giants stay at pick number 4 there is a lot of noise that LB Isaiah Simmons #Clemson will be the pick. #NFL #NFLDraft #NewYork pic.twitter.com/WuvdsE9CgE

— NFL Rumors (@nflrum0rs) April 20, 2020

Pick: Isaiah Simmons (-10000)

First and Second Cornerback Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

There is little intrigue in the odds to be the first cornerback picked, with Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah perched as a clear favorite, as a well as a short +125 bet to be the third overall selection. There is plenty of value to be found further down the odds.

LSU CB Kristian Fulton forced an incompletion on 29.1% of targets since 2017.

The highest rate in college football. pic.twitter.com/3vSV6zp5IG

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 16, 2020

Pegged as a lengthy +2000 bet to be the second cornerback taken, Kristian Fulton made steady gains during LSU’s undefeated campaign, enough for NFL GMs to get past the bad behavior that ended with him getting suspended for the entire 2017 season.

Pick: Kristian Fulton to be second cornerback drafted (+2000)

First Safety Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

Xavier McKinney leads the way in what is a deep class of safeties available in this year’s NFL Draft. The SBD Mock Draft has McKinney going 22nd overall, speculation is heating up that the Alabama star could here his name called much earlier. Either way, there is little value to be found elsewhere on the odds to be the first safety selected.

Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama-

– Swiss Army Knife
– Play maker
– Click and close
– Mental processing/FBI
– Mirror's QB's eyes in zone
– Man Vs TE's/Slot WR's
– K&D run concepts
– Leverage
– Excellent blitzer
– Scrappy/Physical tackler
– Ball skills
– Balanced and fluid#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/uRW6H1ARz8

— Ryder (@RyderM25) April 20, 2020

Pick: Xavier McKinney (-450)

First Kicker Drafted at 2020 NFL Draft Odds

Not surprisingly, the first kicker taken in the 2020 NFL Draft is favored to go in the fifth round. But plenty of questions remain as to who will go first. Rodrigo Blankenship enjoys the best name recognition due to playing at Georgia, and is the favorite.

Last week, I interviewed former @LouGrozaAward Finalist and 2020 @NFLDraft prospect Dominik Eberle (@theDEbbz). We talked about his path from German soccer player to Utah State kicker, how the quarantine has affected the Pre-Draft process, and this great story on QB Jordan Love: pic.twitter.com/AWNtMG8yQL

— Andrew Fenichel (@Andrew_Fenichel) April 20, 2020

But don’t sleep on Dominik Eberle. The German soccer player turned kicker is coming off a breakthrough campaign at Utah State and could get the call from an NFL GM looking to add a reliable leg.

Pick: Dominik Eberle (+600)